NEWS – A steady stream of people clutching plastic bags bulging with unwanted prescription medications dropped them off with the police and a brace of local pharmacists who identified the drugs, counted the pills and weighed the liquids, and prepared them for incineration off-Cape. Chief Paul MacDonald, who greeted many of those who came through the door, said 159 people brought in a total of 67,689 prescribed narcotics and 120 pounds of over-the-counter medications.

Sewering plan: spread the pain

NEWS – The Barnstable Town Council subcommittee looking at sewer financing options is moving toward an option that “spreads the hurt around as much as possible,” seeking the greatest combination of funding sources and lowest override amount for a $265 million capital plan for sewers that also includes $3 million annually for a private road program. It incorporates 50 percent betterments to affected property owners, implementation of new hotel and meals taxes, a $2.3 million debt exclusion and shifting $1.5 million from the town’s operating budget.

Spotlight stays on Siobhan

NEWS – Less than a week after getting voted off American Idol, Siobhan Magnus of Marstons Mills found herself singing with Paul Shaeffer and the Late Night Band on Late Night with David Letterman. Magnus painted Dave's door black with a rendition of "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones (hitting the 'Big Note') that was arguably better than her Idol performance of the same song.

Libraries freeze new funding plan

NEWS – No one on the town library committee got exactly what he or she wanted. Supporters of the new funding formula that redistributes the town’s contribution among the seven independent libraries saw its implementation frozen before the second-year plan could kick in. Opponents (that would be the Hyannis Public Library) didn’t get a rollback to pre-formula days going forward, preventing restoration of cuts made in this year’s budget.

Going for the kill

SPORTS – The girls volleyball team might have to make some room in the trophy case, especially if the boys volleyball team continues playing as it has this season. After victories against Taunton and Wareham, the five-season-old varsity team boasts a 13-0 record, 7-0 in the South Alliance.

New car wash for Hyannis

BUSINESS – Balise Automotive Group proposes to demolish the defunct car wash at Route 28 and 516 Bearse’s Way in Hyannis and replace it with a new, modern “tunnel wash” with waiting and rest rooms, three detail bays and control and equipment storage spaces constructed about a block north of the corner with access from Bearse’s Way and Corporation Street.

A coastal crop in Craigville

NEWS – There’s a new nursery in town. The babies in this one will grow up and go to work in all the villages of Barnstable, holding down sand dunes, beautifying public spaces, even teaching environmental studies. The “Coastal Mitigation Nursery” is being built at Craigville by AmeriCorps and the town’s growth management department and the department of public works.

A warning from Silent Spring

NEWS – In spite of the presence of several contaminants in two drinking water distribution systems and 20 public supply wells on Cape Cod, Silent Spring said that tap water on Cape Cod is still safe to drink. Because of the contaminants, however, water filtration is recommended.

Cape Wind reaches power purchase deal

NEWS – If and when Cape Wind emerges from the expected court battles over its green light from U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, National Grid says it will be there to buy 50 percent of its electricity.

Sturgis goes varsity

SPORTS – It’s been a tough season for the Sturgis girls softball team. Since starting their season, the team has posted more losses than wins, some pretty lopsided. For the girls on the team, though, it’s worth it. No matter what the win-loss record shows, they’re the first varsity team in the program’s history.

Moving toward a new HQ

NEWS – Hyannis Fire District voters took the first major step toward a new headquarters building by approving a $2.79 million purchase of land around its station at 95 High School Road Extension. When Town Councilor Jim Munafo, Jr., asked the commissioners to project the cost of a new downtown station itself, district commissioner Richard Gallagher said it “might be $10 million, it might be $15 million. We need to know if we have the land so we can get architectural renderings of that location.”

CCA head to depart

NEWS – In the 16 years Clark Daggett has been Head of School at Cape Cod Academy in Osterville, he has seen four groups of students progress through the school from kindergarten to graduation. Next year Daggett will celebrate his final graduation with the school, having announced his resignation to the board of trustees in April.

Assistant band director leaves

NEWS – Barnstable High School’s assistant band director for the past 14 years tendered his resignation. In a phone interview with the Patriot, John Jamison said that the situation regarding Michael Smith, who was removed as head of the music department but remains on staff, has “created an awful lot of difficulty in the Barnstable music program.” Smith pleaded not guilty to a charge of furnishing alcohol to a 19-year-old former student during a party at Smith’s home. A June 15 pre-trial conference was scheduled.

BHS boys out-Fox the competition

SPORTS – In the past week the Barnstable Red Raiders boys varsity lacrosse team downed Dartmouth 18-4, and suffered a tough 13-18 loss to Hingham before coming back to bounce Bishop Stang 20-1. The Raiders were also the top vote-getters on Fox Boston’s High School Friday feature, securing coverage for their game against longtime rival Falmouth on the stadium field at BHS.

Signs of support

BUSINESS – Responding to requests to redefine rules about sign placement, size and type, the planning board recommended changes to the town council. The proposed standards, hammered out with the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District, would expand the definition of business location hardship signs from use by off-Main Street shops to the main drag where sightlines are obstructed.

Voters trim insurance for electees

NEWS – The items that brought out many of the 110 voters at Cotuit Fire District’s annual meeting focused on health insurance for the district’s 10 elected officials. In the end, elected officials kept their ability to have health insurance, but the district’s contribution rate was amended from 75 percent to 50 percent.

Heading for home (plate)

SPORTS – The Barnstable boys varsity baseball team made the post-season, boasting a 10-7 record pending their last regular season game at Dartmouth. Earlier, Barnstable fell to Falmouth 7-3 before defeating Sandwich 9-1. Head coach Joe DiMartino feels that strong pitching and solid defense from his mainly senior starters were what kept the Raiders in the game.